[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[House]
[Pages 22266-22268]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CATHOLIC SISTERS

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 441) honoring the historical contributions of 
Catholic sisters in the United States, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 441

       Whereas the social, cultural, and political contributions 
     of Catholic sisters have played a vital role in shaping life 
     in the United States;
       Whereas such women have joined in unique forms of 
     intentional communitarian life dedicated to prayer and 
     service since the very beginnings of our Nation's history, 
     fearlessly and often sacrificially committing their personal 
     lives to teaching, healing, and social action;
       Whereas the first Catholic sisters to live and work in the 
     United States were nine Ursuline Sisters, who journeyed from 
     France to New Orleans in 1727;
       Whereas at least nine sisters from the United States have 
     been martyred since 1980 while working for social justice and 
     human rights overseas;
       Whereas Maura Clark, MM, Ita Ford, MM, and Dorothy Kazel, 
     OSU were martyred in El Salvador in 1980;
       Whereas Joel Kolmer, ASC, Shirley Kolmer, ASC, Kathleen 
     McGuire, ASC, Agnes Mueller, ASC, and Barbara Ann Muttra, ASC 
     were martyred in Liberia in 1992;
       Whereas Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN was martyred in Brazil in 
     2005;
       Whereas Catholic sisters established the Nation's largest 
     private school system and founded more than 110 United States 
     colleges and universities, educating millions of young people 
     in the United States;
       Whereas there were approximately 32,000 Catholic sisters in 
     the United States who taught 400,000 children in 2,000 
     parochial schools by 1880, and there were 180,000 Catholic 
     sisters who taught nearly 4,500,000 children by 1965;
       Whereas today, there are approximately 59,000 Catholic 
     sisters in the United States;
       Whereas Catholic sisters participated in the opening of the 
     West, traveling vast distances to minister in remote 
     locations, setting up schools and hospitals, and working

[[Page 22267]]

     among native populations on distant reservations;
       Whereas more than 600 sisters from 21 different religious 
     communities nursed both Union and Confederate soldiers alike 
     during the Civil War;
       Whereas Catholic sisters cared for afflicted populations 
     during the epidemics of cholera, typhoid, yellow fever, 
     smallpox, tuberculosis, and influenza during the 19th and 
     early 20th centuries;
       Whereas Catholic sisters built and established hospitals, 
     orphanages, and charitable institutions that have served 
     millions of people, managing organizations long before 
     similar positions were open to women;
       Whereas approximately one in six hospital patients in the 
     United States were treated in a Catholic facility;
       Whereas Catholic sisters have been among the first to stand 
     with the underprivileged, to work and educate among the poor 
     and underserved, and to facilitate leadership through 
     opportunity and example;
       Whereas Catholic sisters continue to provide shelter, food, 
     and basic human needs to the economically or socially 
     disadvantaged and advocate relentlessly for the fair and 
     equal treatment of all persons;
       Whereas Catholic sisters work for the eradication of 
     poverty and racism and for the promotion of nonviolence, 
     equality, and democracy in principle and in action;
       Whereas the humanitarian work of Catholic sisters with 
     communities in crisis and refuge throughout the world 
     positions them as activists and diplomats of peace and 
     justice for the some of the most at risk populations; and
       Whereas the Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America 
     Traveling Exhibit is sponsored by the Leadership Conference 
     of Women Religious (LCWR) in association with Cincinnati 
     Museum Center and will open on May 16, 2009, in Cincinnati, 
     Ohio: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors and commends Catholic sisters for their humble 
     service and courageous sacrifice throughout the history of 
     this Nation; and
       (2) supports the goals of the Women & Spirit: Catholic 
     Sisters in America Traveling Exhibit, a project sponsored by 
     the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in 
     association with Cincinnati Museum Center and established to 
     recognize the historical contributions of Catholic sisters in 
     the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I am pleased to present House Resolution 441 for consideration. 
This legislation honors and commends Catholic sisters for their humble 
service and courageous sacrifice throughout United States history and 
additionally supports the goals of the ``Women & Spirit: Catholic 
Sisters in America'' traveling exhibit.
  The measure before us was introduced on May 14, 2009 by my colleague 
and friend, Representative Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, and was favorably 
reported out of the Oversight Committee on September 10, 2009 by 
unanimous consent. Notably, this measure enjoys the support of over 60 
Members of Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 441 honors the altruistic Catholic 
sisters, whose passion for public service has helped shape our Nation's 
social and cultural landscape. Since arriving in the United States 
almost 300 years ago, Catholic sisters have established schools, 
colleges, hospitals, orphanages, homeless shelters, and various other 
institutions to provide for those in need. These unsung heroes have 
served millions of Americans as nurses, as teachers, social workers, 
and they continue to do so today. The Catholic sisters have also helped 
to educate countless young Americans by establishing the Nation's 
largest private school system and founding over 110 colleges and 
universities.

                              {time}  1515

  Moreover, in 2005 roughly one in six hospital patients in the United 
States was treated in a Catholic facility. There are many, many 
accomplishments which I could cite in support of this resolution and of 
this traveling exhibit, but I think it's important to note just a few:
  The first Catholic sisters in our country to live and work here in 
the service of our people were nine Ursuline Sisters who journeyed from 
France to New Orleans in 1727. At least nine sisters of the United 
States' orders have been martyred since 1980 while working for social 
justice and for human rights overseas. Dorothy Stang, sister of Notre 
Dame, was martyred in Brazil in 2005.
  There were 32,000 Catholic sisters in the United States who taught 
400,000 children at 2,000 parochial schools by the year 1880. There 
were 180,000 Catholic sisters who taught nearly 4.5 million children in 
1965. Today, there are approximately 59,000 Catholic sisters still 
serving in the United States.
  I owe much of my own education to the good sisters of Notre Dame, who 
taught me the fear of God, and I am forever in their debt. I ask all of 
our Members to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 441, honoring the 
Catholic sisters in the United States, who have contributed greatly to 
the Catholic church and to the communities where they have lived and 
worked.
  The first Catholic sisters to live in the United States came from 
France in 1727 and settled in New Orleans. From this small beginning, 
their presence and contributions to society grew over the years. Today, 
there are about 59,000 Catholic sisters in the United States. Although 
their numbers have decreased over the years, their influence is strong 
and vital.
  Catholic sisters founded, staffed and managed the largest private 
school system in the United States. They founded more than 110 colleges 
and universities in the United States, thus providing educational 
opportunity for millions of young people. In addition to schools, the 
Catholic sisters established hospitals, orphanages and other charitable 
institutions that have served millions of Americans.
  Catholic sisters have long been recognized for their fair and equal 
treatment of all persons. They have worked tirelessly for the 
eradication of racism and poverty in the United States and around the 
world.
  In recognition of the women who have added substantially to the lives 
of many of our citizens, I stand to recognize the Catholic sisters for 
their untiring dedication and for their many contributions to the 
fabric of the United States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my friends on both sides of 
the aisle to take a moment to recognize the priceless contributions of 
the Catholic sisters in America and to thank them for their humble 
service and courageous sacrifices throughout United States history by 
agreeing to House Resolution 441.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 441, 
honoring the historical contributions of Catholic sisters in the United 
States. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this important 
resolution.
  Catholic sisters have been instrumental in bettering our communities 
and our society. Their efforts are felt time and time again in my 
hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. I am forever indebted to the charity and 
compassion of the Catholic sisters who made a big difference in my 
childhood and continue to amaze and inspire me today. Catholic sisters 
have made incredible contributions including, to name just a few, 
educating our nation's youth, instilling the importance of human rights 
and dedicating themselves to charitable efforts that help to meet the 
needs of the underserved. In addition, they serve as reminders of the 
important contributions of women in the United States and around the 
world.
  My own success in life is due to the love, caring, tutelage and 
discipline of Catholic nuns who taught me at the many schools I 
attended

[[Page 22268]]

in the Cleveland area, including at St. Peter's, Holy Name, Parmadale, 
St. Aloysius', St. Colman's and St. John Cantius. At each and every 
grade level, I learned the principles of Christian charity, practiced 
through the generosity and the humility of nuns who taught me. I would 
like to pay special tribute to Sister Mary Donna, Sister Leona, Sister 
Agnes Joseph, Sister Sabina, Sister Valerie, Sister Estelle, Sister 
Justicia, Sister Concepta, Sister Emmeline, Sister Genevieve, Sister 
Paulette, Sister Lucien, Sister Judith, Sister Luke and Sister 
Narcissa. Each and every one of these holy women had an impact on my 
life, for which I will always he grateful.
  I also wish to pay tribute in particular to the benevolent work of 
Catholic Sisters are Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Forde, 
Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel, and Maryknoll Lay Missioner Jean 
Donovan. Sister Dorothy and Jean Donovan were both from my hometown of 
Cleveland. In 1980 these women of faith were murdered by members of the 
armed forces of El Salvador while carrying out missionary work in the 
country. Three of the five officers involved were graduates of the 
School of the Americas. Their murders resonated with me personally as 
they did with many of my constituents. We understand that women on 
missions of social and economic justice take huge personal risks. These 
women must always be remembered and revered.
  I rise in strong support of this bill and urge my colleagues to vote 
in favor of H. Res. 441.
  Mr. SOUDER, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of the 
gentlewoman from Ohio's resolution (H. Res. 441) recognizing the 
contributions of the Catholic Sisters to the United States.
  The efforts of Catholic Sisters have had an incredible impact on my 
district in northeast Indiana. Saint Mother Theodore Guerin was one of 
the first brave souls to leave France in response to the call of Bishop 
Simon Brute of the Diocese of Vincennes to come to Indiana and help 
establish a system of schools for education.
  Bishop Brute's motivation for seeking the support and involvement of 
religious women for this calling came from his experience working with 
another religious Sister, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.
  Saint Mother Theodore traveled across the wilds of then-frontier 
Indiana and established many parish schools across the State, including 
in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Along with the Holy Cross Brothers and Fathers 
based at the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mother Theodore had a 
major impact on the creation of parish schools throughout northeast 
Indiana. That we have a successful Catholic school system in my 
district is due in no small part to her early efforts.
  Sts. Theodore and Elizabeth Ann Seton have left lasting legacies in 
my district. The Catholic parish across from my kids' alma mater is 
dedicated to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the relatively new Latin Mass 
community in Fort Wayne is named for Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.
  The foundation of education laid down by these pioneering sisters is 
today embodied by the example of the University of Saint Francis and 
its president, Sister Elise Kriss, OSF. You will not find a more humble 
and devoted servant than Sister Elise, who has led her institution 
through a period of rapid growth. She is a strong example of Christian 
leadership for both her students and the entire Fort Wayne community.
  The Religious Sisters' contribution to my district extends well 
beyond education. St. Joseph Hospital was founded by Fort Wayne Bishop 
John Henry Luers in 1869. The Poor Handmaidens of Jesus Christ 
subsequently responded to his call to help serve the German-speaking 
immigrants of the area and continued assisting the hospital and many 
area parishes. They now lead the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation 
which has been a key partner with me and my staff as we work to address 
the plight of Fort Wayne's increasing Burmese refugee population.
  My district originally included Huntington County, which is home to 
the motherhouse of Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters. The Victory 
Knoll Sisters would always write to me about the cause of peace and 
justice and the plight of different people around our country and the 
world.
  These are just a few of the many dedicated religious women that are 
faithfully serving in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, but are a 
good representation of the important legacy they provide our region. I 
would like to thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for introducing this 
resolution and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the 
important contributions these women have made and continue to make 
across the country.
  Mr. LYNCH. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 441, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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